page_title: Mercedes Arrastia Tuason
section_title: Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See
hierarchical_section_title: Mercedes Arrastia Tuason / Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See
caption_attribution_description: English: Our Lady of Mediatrix of All Grace located at Carmel Church in Lipa, Batangas in the Philippines
context_page_description: Maria Mercedes Reinares y Arrastia-Tuason also known as Mercedes Tuason in Lubao, Pampanga, is a Philippine diplomat and ambassador to the Holy See. An alumnus of Saint Scholastica's Catholic college in Manila, Tuason has served in the field of nutritional sciences and was appointed plenipotentiary to the Holy See in 2009.
  In the Philippines, Tuason is particularly known as an advocate of the Holy Rosary devotion and her roles in many charitable organizations, namely the Red Cross foundation. In May 2003 Pope John Paul II awarded Tuason the Magistral dame of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. In May 23, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI awarded Tuason the Grand Cross of Merit for the title Order of Pius IX due to her charitable works and diplomatic service to the Roman Catholic Church, a coveted title that was not granted to ladies until November 1993. Currently, the Order of Pius IX is the third to the highest ranking order granted by the Pope through chivalry, the highest being the Supreme Order of Christ.
  Tuason is also known for her pro-life activism and cooperation with the Archdiocese of Manila in challenging the legalization of abortion through the Reproductive Health Bill.
context_section_description: Though Tuason was already well-acquainted with religious work since the 1980s, in 2007, Tuason became involved with the Cenacle Group, a prayer group guided by Bishop Federico Escaler. In 2007, Tuason was granted the Pax Award a title given to alumni Scholasticans for her charitable works and involvements.
  In October 2, 2009, Tuason presented her diplomatic and academic credentials to Pope Benedict XVI in the summer residence of Castel Gandolfo palace as the new ambassador-extraordinary and  Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to the Holy See. Tuason also holds concurrent jurisdiction over the Sovereign Military Order of Malta as a Dame of Magistral Grace.  She met with the pontiff and discussed major issues concerning Catholicism in the Philippines, more specifically the ongoing typhoon storm at the time Ketsana / Ondoy.
  After presenting her credentials to Pope Benedict XVI, Tuason was escorted to the Blessed Sacrament chapel in Saint Peter's Basilica and was given the rare privilege of visiting the underground, tomb of Saint Peter.
  In February 2012, Tuason obtained ecclesiastical license from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints for the relics of Saint Clare of Assisi from Foligno, Italy to tour the Philippines for the first time in 800 years.
  On May 23, 2012, Tuason was awarded by the Vatican with the Order of Pius IX, Class of Dame. The former Holy See's Chief of Protocol, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, assisted by Monsignor Guillermo Javier Karcher, 1st Class Attaché of the Secretariat of State, presented the award to Ambassador Tuason. Nwachukwu noted that Pope Benedict XVI has decided to give the award to Tuason for her "significant contributions in the advancement of bilateral relations between the Holy See and the Philippines". The award is signed by Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
  On May 27, 2012, Tuason became a televised speaker at the Lady of All Nations Prayer Day, held in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In her speech before 1,200 attendees, Tuason emphasized the need for devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and highlighted a specific Marian devotion unique to her preference, Our Lady Mediatrix of All Graces.
  On August 21, 2012, in a recent interview at the Office of the Ambassador of the Philippines to the Vatican, Tuason noted her feelings of happiness and joy with the upcoming canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod. In addition, Tuason released an official press statement for a Triduum Holy Mass  beginning on October 18–20, 2012 at the Basilica of Saint Augustine, followed by another at the Church of the Gesu, and culminating in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome for various pilgrims that are coming to Rome. Tuason further noted that many Filipinos are expected to join the canonization rites, especially the Filipino bishops of the Catholic Church Tuason also noted that there are three images or statues, all contending to be chosen for the official image of Blessed Pedro Calungsod for public veneration.
  On January 7, 2013, Tuason participated in the Vatican Radio show discussing the diplomatic ties of the Holy See with various global countries. In the interview, Tuason lamented the lack of religious education among the youth. In particular, Tuason noted that the world and current forms of addictive media are responsible for the introvert attitudes of Catholic youth with regards to physically engaging with others.
caption: The rescued statue of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Graces, to whom Arrastia strongly advocates a devotion for.
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